When it comes to Wow factors, it’s hard to beat a water feature. Swimming pools and spa pools are at the top of the list and can add interest, fun, and so much more to your garden and landscape, but they need to be well designed and planned out.
Some of the things to sort:
First, where will it go? Locating the position of a swimming pool or a spa pool is one of the first steps. If the swimming pool is too far away from the house, it will become awkward to use. It is also essential to consider the flow. How will it relate to the rooms inside the house, and how will people enter and exit the pool, the paving. Will there be enough space? What size of swimming pool/spa pool will work for comfort, widths of paths and places for lying down if needed. Will neighbours overlook the pool, or will there be unsightly views, for example, clotheslines to reposition or replace. Privacy is a crucial factor.
There are safety aspects to consider, including how the pool will be fenced to protect those who might access the swimming pool without supervision, primarily children under the age of six. A plan will be required to submit to the council for approval, so it makes perfect sense to sort this all out in a design before committing to buying a swimming pool/spa pool.
A well-designed planting scheme is essential to compliment the swimming pool and will typically be low maintenance.
The above picture is a current landscape designed for a family who wanted to renovate their tired garden and allow their children and grandchildren to enjoy using a swimming pool.
I also included the option for an in-ground spa pool in the revised version of the design. I highly recommend adding perspectives to the plan package to see what the garden will look like at different angles. Perspective views also give more visual detail on plants, fencing and materials.
I am involved with many clients requiring designs for swimming pools and spa pools, including working with many pool companies over the years to help come up with workable landscape designs that also add the Wow factor.